If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Being of value to Sangha

Until recently I was attending regular sittings at a beautiful little Zendo. It was in a space rented by the Dharma Drum organization, and shared with the Son group I was sitting with. The landlord sold the building this past winter... and the group moved across the city where I simply could no longer get-to for regular Tuesday evening practice. The teachings of this group were the kind I have heard many times over the years, and to be honest... weren't the important thing. The important thing for me was the group practice.... chanting, bowing, sitting.....together. This was where the rubber hit the road, and it is also where I happened to be useful. Every time this mouth opens, a bull charges out and knocks over a china display. But when I just sit, I sit with, as, for, and by, everyone sitting with me. It is not only an amazing support of my own practice, it supports the practice of others. By being a rock of consistency, always being there, and always just doing it, with no melodrama, I contributed something solid and true....and I knew it. ...and it was a joy to be that rock. So.. here at treeleaf, with this forum board, and my own history of blabbing on boards, it is more important than ever, to contribute in the best way I can, and that is to be there/here ,always, for group practice and sit well... no muss, no fuss.

I think we all contribute in different ways, everyone has a strength, and finding what it is makes a difference. Everyone is different.

I wish I could find the quote again, but a teacher once observed how if you take tongs and set a glowing coal out by itself, it'll soon go out, but if you arrange the coals together, rather than loosing heat their mutual heat combines, and they soon burst into flame. That has certainly been my experience of sangha.

May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind
quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid
and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power
and may people think of befriending one another.

Hi Kojip, I've occasionally sat the recorded version of zazenkais during the week from 2100-2230 EST on Google+. If that appeals to you, drop me a line and we'll put something on the calendar. I'm sure we could get a few more evening sitters to join in as well.

Thank you for your practice Kojip. I enjoy having you around as I always learn from what you share

Originally Posted by Piobair

I wish I could find the quote again, but a teacher once observed how if you take tongs and set a glowing coal out by itself, it'll soon go out, but if you arrange the coals together, rather than loosing heat their mutual heat combines, and they soon burst into flame. That has certainly been my experience of sangha.

Thank you for sharing this(also to Kaishin for the reference to its origin)! This wonderful lesson will forever give more depth to my mind and actions whenever I am laying charcole for Tea!

I wish I could find the quote again, but a teacher once observed how if you take tongs and set a glowing coal out by itself, it'll soon go out, but if you arrange the coals together, rather than loosing heat their mutual heat combines, and they soon burst into flame. That has certainly been my experience of sangha.

Without attributing any intent in this way, can I just say that this metaphor makes me very uncomfortable. Not because it doesn't point to a truth, but maybe because it does.

or the Google+ calendar; I think these two are not yet synced automatically, but you find some regular sittings there.
The Shokai/Myoku zazen is daily and has usually something like 2..5 sitters. The Myozan zazen on Wednesday is getting
very popular now and overall the amount of sitters on google+ is steadily rising. Again, if you need some technical
help feel free to ask in the forum or mail me.

or the Google+ calendar; I think these two are not yet synced automatically, but you find some regular sittings there.
The Shokai/Myoku zazen is daily and has usually something like 2..5 sitters. The Myozan zazen on Wednesday is getting
very popular now and overall the amount of sitters on google+ is steadily rising. Again, if you need some technical
help feel free to ask in the forum or mail me.

Gassho
Myoku

Thank you, Myoko. Sounds good, will do.

.... BTW, I read "2..5 sitters" as "two point five sitters".. and thought ..Who is the point five?!

Hi Kojip, I've occasionally sat the recorded version of zazenkais during the week from 2100-2230 EST on Google+. If that appeals to you, drop me a line and we'll put something on the calendar. I'm sure we could get a few more evening sitters to join in as well.

Gassho,
Shujin

Hi Shujin. Thanks. My family is used to easing off the wifi on Friday nights (EST) so I can do the Live Zazenkai...
.... especially appreciate the 4 hour monthly.

thanks for your post. You wrote: "But when I just sit, I sit with, as, for, and by, everyone sitting with me. It is not only an amazing support of my own practice, it supports the practice of others." I quoted you when sitting with my local zazen group yesterday (not mentioning your name btw. but saying that someone at Treeleaf had made a great comment). So thanks once more.

I have the same feelings about having a sangha around...as it happens, within two weeks of my having decided that Soto Zen was the one for me, the local SZ zendo closed its doors for lack of funds to pay the rent. For a long time, I missed having the live presence of people though Treeleaf was there for me. Now that things are more developed, the ability to sit on Google + does a lot to recreate that feeling. Although my schedule seems to be at odds with the regular sittings, knowing they are there is a source of support as well.

gassho,

Julia s

"The Girl Dragon Demon", the random Buddhist name generator calls me....you have been warned.

What really nice responses. This thread brings something to mind... sure, everyone is a teacher in a way, but at the same time there are teachers, those who have ordained, and who have been trained by generations of experience, so they can teach responsibly. ...and these conventional distinctions are important.
But, there is also the idea that the Buddha does not speak from the "highest peak" (probably mount sumeru or something), but lets others speak from one peak down. I think that is where we are when we sit together... that place where the Buddha does not speak.

Gassho, kojip.

..ed. I recall the text saying something like .."from the highest peak no ratiocination has ever been allowed".. maybe someone more savvy knows this? thanks.

Thank you for your post. I have 'hung out' here a lot, mostly to sit. I have not really participated in the forums. I have missed much and I need to support this dharma here on the 'net. Thank you for showing how, even if this sangha is widely dispersed, the sangha can still be as close as the corner store.